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As promiced both my self and the great Batninja got together with our chest displays to get some good pics showing the differences. Here is what we found.

Sadly we didnt have a set of chest armor to try them out in. I do know that the TK409 dosnt quite fit for the BM chest windo. But in my opinion short of custom cutting the window few will work.

The animations vary slightly on them, the brightness and size of the TK409 is great thought the shackman is shorter. Enjoy the pics and the video!

Thanks Batninja for bringing your display so we could do this!!!

*The brighter display with the white box LED and no ribbon is the TK409, the 2 part display with the black LED and ribbon is the Shackman display.

MY THOUGHTS: I think there both great and I dont usualy say that and mean it like this but its true... I want a shackman and I want to keep my TK409... there different but both good... I also plan on owning several sets of armor..

Is the BM hole in the correct position to begin with? Would the modification be in the wrong place?

Another option would be to cut a horizontal slit in the vest (button-hole the edges) so that the exposed edge of the TK409 board slides inside the slit (behind the vest), effectively hiding it. Here's a crude sketch:

I did this once before on an old vest, because I cut the display slots in the wrong place on the armor. Rather than re-working the slots (Bondo, putty, sand, etc), I cut a slit in the vest to slide the circuit board through. Problem solved.

Is the BM hole in the correct position to begin with? Would the modification be in the wrong place?

Another option would be to cut a horizontal slit in the vest (button-hole the edges) so that the exposed edge of the TK409 board slides inside the slit, effectively hiding it.

I have the BM armor and the TK409 lights. The TK409 board is hidden behind the BM armor. It looks like the lower slot needs to made a little taller. I can get the exact dimensions and/or pic of the BM slots at lunchtime.

Visualy BMs widow gives the overall same effect... it has the same "Feel" as the origonal armor... it is a tad bit smaller there for the placement of the window makes a little bit more sence where it is, I would think, but my diagram is sowing the widow moved with the size difference in mind, shrinking the strait on shot in photoshop to fit the BM plate exactly. I think it is more or less vissualy centered from left to right on the MOM armor, design wise.

Think my wife would mind a nice set of TK 409 chest lights for Mothers Day ?

ahh cmon, it would be kinda like the gifts I get for Birthdays and Fathers days, you know, over sized sweatshirts and flanel PJ's that conveniently don't fit me that she wears lounging around the house..

Can't blame a Fett for trying LOL

BTW, great comparison, thanks for sizing them up for us. Both look very well made.

Think my wife would mind a nice set of TK 409 chest lights for Mothers Day ?

ahh cmon, it would be kinda like the gifts I get for Birthdays and Fathers days, you know, over sized sweatshirts and flanel PJ's that conveniently don't fit me that she wears lounging around the house..

Can't blame a Fett for trying LOL

BTW, great comparison, thanks for sizing them up for us. Both look very well made.

Good info on chest displays.I just got my Tk409 chest display in and its bright in day and night. But I want to own a shackmen also, its a little more stuff and its not as bright as tk409. But they both look great.

I have the TK-409 version and I thought it was a tad bright. I went to an optometrist and got a pair of those disposable sunglasses they had out for eye diolation. I cut it out and taped it to the inside of the window. Works like a charm.